OCRA Announces Regional Capacity Workshops

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 27, 2018) – The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs will start launching regional capacity building workshops to assist communities interested in preparing for the Stellar Communities Program application.

“We want the Stellar Communities Program to be a goal for all communities across the state,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “We hope community leaders will gain a deeper understanding of how to begin the process of planning for Stellar with the tools and resources provided through these workshops.” Golden said that the purpose of these workshops is to provide skill building tools and case studies that communities can use to improve their progress individually and collaboratively within regions.

The program is designed for community leaders who are looking to build relationships within the region that surrounds them. Any size of an incorporated Indiana community that is not entitled to direct Community Development Block Grant funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is eligible to participate in these workshops. Communities are asked to register between two and eight people for the entire series.

The Office of Community and Rural Affairs has partnered with HPG Network to help administer the workshops for no cost to participants across the state. Based in Ft. Wayne, The HPG Network is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to cultivating thriving communities. The workshop begins with a program overview webinar September 5 at 2:00 p.m. (ET). Interested participants can and learn more and register at in.gov/ocra/stellar.

Launched in 2011, the Stellar Communities Program is a multi-year, multi-agency partnership initiative led by OCRA, and overseen by Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. The program works with communities to develop strategic community investment plans, promote local and regional partnerships and implement comprehensive solutions to challenges facing Indiana’s rural communities.

The Southwest Indiana region consists of the four counties of Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick, and the City of Evansville, Indiana, the state’s 3rd largest city. We offer tax incentives and other services to save your business time and money.